Combustion synthesis and photocatalytic activities of Bi3+-doped TiO2 nanocrystals

Bismuth ions (Bi3+)-doped TiO2 nanocrystals have been synthesized by citric acid sol-gel combustion method using bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O) and titanium chloride (TiCl4) as raw materials. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis absorption spectra. The experiments demonstrated that Bi3+ doping in TiO2 enhances the photocatalytic degradation ratio of methyl orange in aqueous suspension and the optimal dopant of Bi3+, in TiO2 is about 3%. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.